Dear readers,
This week’s newsletter features extensive coverage of the 34th State Legislature’s second regular session, which began last Tuesday, Jan 20. Here we are providing JUST THE NEWS, no commentary, no fluff. To read op-eds published by Must Read Alaska this week, please visit: Columns - Must Read Alaska.
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Table of Contents
Alaska Industry
Massive Drilling Rig Topples on Alaska’s North Slope
By Todd Lindley
A dramatic incident unfolded on Alaska’s remote North Slope late Friday afternoon when Doyon Drilling Rig 26, one of the largest mobile land rigs in North America, toppled over during transport. The event occurred around 4:45 p.m. on January 23, 2026, while the rig was traveling on a gravel road on the North Slope of Alaska…
House State Affairs’ First Hearing of AIDEA Accountability Act: Impact on State Revenue and Economic Development
By Natalie Spaulding
Jan 22, Representative Ashley Carrick (D-Fairbanks) introduced HB 124, the AIDEA Accountability Act, to the House State Affairs Committee. HB 124 seeks to enhance “legislative and public oversight of AIDEA as a state corporation.”
According to Carrick, the intent of the bill is to strike a balance between public backlash against the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) and the State’s desire for AIDEA to move forward…
The Year We’ve Been Waiting For: Alaska’s Oil Revival Discussed in House Finance
By Todd Lindley
On January 21, 2026, the Alaska House Finance Committee convened a teleconference that buzzed with unprecedented optimism about the state’s oil industry. Co-chaired by Representatives Andy Jospehson and Neal Foster along with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the meeting painted a vivid picture of resurgence on the North Slope. Director Derek Nottingham set an enthusiastic tone, declaring, “This is the year we’ve been waiting for.” …
Legislative Budget and Audit Committee Approves Consulting Contract for LNG Project
By Natalie Spaulding
The Legislative Audit and Budget (LB&A) Committee met this morning, Jan 20, at 10am to discuss approval of a contract with consulting group Pegasus-Global Holdings, Inc. The contract, which is not to exceed $250,000, will enable Pegasus to provide the legislature with key information regarding the Alaska LNG pipeline project…
Alaska Elections
Survey Series: Which Candidates for Governor Support Increasing Taxes on Oil and Gas, Which Don’t, and Why?
By Nathaniel Herz
It’s campaign season in Alaska.
Democratic former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola made national news Monday when she said she’s entering what’s expected to be a hard-fought and expensive race for the Alaska U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Dan Sullivan.
Meanwhile two-term GOP Gov. Republican Mike Dunleavy is barred by state law for seeking re-election — and more than a dozen candidates have already announced bids to replace him.
Here at Northern Journal, we expect the governor’s race to be one of Alaska’s most interesting in years.
The winner will face a huge array of policy questions expected to remain unresolved after Dunleavy finishes eight years in office.
Education in Alaska
Aleutian Region School District Superintendent Addresses Task Force on Education Funding
By Natalie Spaulding
Jan 23, the Task Force on Education Funding met at 3:30pm to hear invited testimony. Among those invited to give testimony was Michael Hanley, former Commissioner of Education and current Superintendent of the Aleutian Region School District.
Hanley has spent 35 years in the Alaska public education system with his experience including being a teacher at the Anchorage School District, Principal at an ASD school, Commissioner of Education, and now Superintendent of one of the most remote school districts in the nation.
This Year’s PFD Education Raffle 1st Place Winner Gets $92k; $2.3m Raised for Public Education
By Natalie Spaulding
Today, Jan 22, the winners of the 7th Annual Permanent Fund Dividend Education Raffle were announced by the Alaska Department of Revenue. The drawing took place at the Lieutenant Governor’s Office and was livestreamed on the Alaska Department of Revenue Facebook page.
Each year, Alaskans can choose to donate their PFD or part of their PFD to the State’s yearly education raffle. 50% of the funds go directly to support public school needs for that year. Funds benefit public schools generally, not any one specific district. 25% of the funds go into a new education endowment fund. The remaining 25% goes to the raffle fund.
This year, public schools will receive approximately $2.3 million raised by the education raffle. $1.15 million will be invested in the education endowment fund.
Healthcare in Alaska
Alaska Health Department Delayed Compliance with Federal Pro-Life Law for 4 Months
By Natalie Spaulding
The State of Alaska continued to allow taxpayer money to fund elective abortions for four months after President Trump suspended Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood and other clinics.
The Big Beautiful Big (H.R.1) was signed into law on July 4, 2025. The bill included a one-year ban on Medicaid funding for certain pro-abortion clinics. The State of Alaska failed to comply until November 5th. However, the restriction does not apply to all providers, and Alaska continues to use Medicaid funds for elective abortions performed in hospitals and other medical providers.
Bill to License Naturopaths Moves Forward in Legislative Process
By Natalie Spaulding
Following several prior hearings of HB 147, the House Health and Social Services Committee moved HB 147 out of committee and on to the next step in the legislative process yesterday, Jan 22.
HB 147 is “an Act relating to the practice of naturopathy,” establishing a licensing procedure for qualified naturopaths practicing in Alaska. Naturopathy is a form of alternative medicine, focused on natural remedies. It is often criticized as breaking from evidence-based medicine standards.
From the Governor
2026 State of the State: Alaska Can Lead
By Todd Lindley
In Governor Dunleavy’s final State of the State before the state legislature, he maintained a position of optimism and hope for the opportunities in Alaska. Everything from disaster relief to a stable economic regime to attract investors from around the world.
“It’s the people of Alaska that had the confidence to put me in this role to serve all Alaskans as governor,” said Dunleavy.
Dunleavy began the evening address with gratitude to the first responders that have been the force behind the recovery of the 85 state and federal disaster declarations while he has been in office.
“Time and time again, they’ve rallied to the cause,” exclaimed Dunleavy, “they’ve answered the call of duty and saved lives.”
Moving from the natural disasters to those that were manmade, Dunleavy wasted no time in letting the room full of legislators know the impact the Biden Administration’s policies had on Alaska. 74 executive actions were taken against Alaska, putting resource development in jeopardy. He reiterated that no other state suffered more under the Biden Administration than Alaska.
More from the Legislative Session
Facts and Figures
Good News for Oil and Gas
On Jan 21, the APA Corporation joined the Alaska Oil and Gas Association (AOGA) after successful North Slope exploration at the Sockeye-2 exploratory well
Key Industry Numbers
Alaska Oil: ~$63.4 per barrel
Henry Hub Gas: ~$4.88 per mmBTU
Alaska North Slope Production: ~469,464 barrels per day
Permanent Fund (Principal + Earnings Reserve): ~$88.6 billion
Community Meetings
Do you want to know more about what is going on in your local community? Consider showing up to a local political or utilities meeting, learn the details for yourself, and add your own voice to the conversation.
Download the pdf below to see upcoming community meetings happening this week in Alaska!
In Pursuit of Wisdom
We need more families achieving the American dream. People are not a nebulous abstract concept. People are what this is all about. Everything we do here is for the people or it should be. Government is about serving the people. And the people are why we’re here. The people of Alaska today and certainly the people of Alaska tomorrow.”
Must Read Alaska Show
We hope to get our podcast back up and running in the near future. Plus, we are continuing to develop our sortable audio-files for easy listening of our stories.
Submit Your Feedback
Do you have story ideas? Do you want to submit an op-ed for consideration? Or perhaps you have feedback for us on how we can improve your experience. If that’s you, please reach out to us at [email protected]. We love to hear from our readers!
Thank you for reading! Until next time,
The MRAK Team
A Force for Good